Local scene
The festival of lights
Around 260 guests put on their best finery and gathered at The Balcony in Ryde for a colourful celebration of the traditional Hindu festival of Diwali , Festival of Lights .
Members of the Island ’ s Indian and Asian communities joined with other invited guests including MP Mr Bob Seeley , councillors and local authority employees , for the evening of traditional music and dancing , accompanied by delicious food from Swad Indian cuisine from Sandown . With a live Bollywood band and singers , and a programme of dancing children and adults , the evening culminated in dramatic style with a fireworks display on the beach . As well as providing an evening of colour and excitement for all the guests , the evening included a raffle that raised funds for Hampshire and IW Air Ambulance .
Pictures by Graham Reading
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